Florida Continuing Education Requirements

Florida requires all individuals licensed to practice real estate in Florida to take continuing education to renew their license.  Florida Real Estate Sales Associate and Broker liceneses are good for two years, and will expire on either March 31st or September 30th.  For complete guidelines on license renewal and continuing education requirements, reference Florida Statute 475.182 or 475.183.

Sales Associates
Newly licenses sales associates must complete a 45-hour post-licensing education course prior to their first license renewal.  This 45-hour course must be approved by the commision as sales associate post-licensing education. 

After the first renewal, sales associates must take 11 hours of specialty continuing education (CE) courses, and three hours of Core Law before renewing their license.  Licensees may opt to repeat Core Law once during their renewal cycle to receive 3 hours of CE credit, and may also opt to receive 3 hours of CE credit for attending a FREC meeting.

Brokers
Newly licensed brokers must complete 60 hours of post-licensing education prior to their first license renewal.  This 60-hour course must be approved by the commission as broker post-licensing education. 

After the first renewal, brokers must take 11 hours of of specialty continuing education (CE) courses, and three hours of Core Law before renewing their license.  Licensees may opt to repeat Core Law once during their renewal cycle to receive 3 hours of CE credit, and may also opt to receive 3 hours of CE credit for attending a FREC meeting.

Inactive/Expired Licenses
If a member does not meet the necesssary education requirements prior to their license expiration, there are several options available based on their specific situation for license renewal.  These options are outlined and explained in Florida Statute 475.183.

Newly Licensed Sales Associates
If a Sales Associate does not complete their post-licensing education requirements before their license expires, their license becomes void.  In order to become licensed again, they must retake all pre-licensing education courses, sit for the real estate examination, and become a new licensee.

Newly Licensed Brokers
If a broker does not complete their post-licensing education requirements before their license expires, their license will revert to a sales associate license and become inactive.  In order to become licensed as a broker again, they must retake all broker pre-licensing educaiton courses and pass the brokers examination.

Existing Licensees
If a Sales Associate or Broker does not complete 11 hours of  specialty CE and 3 hours of core law education prior to renewal, their license will become inactive on the first day following their expiration date.  They may make up the deficit in education credits and pay appropriate fees to FREC within 12 months of becoming inactive.

If they are inactive for longer than 12 months, but less than 24 months, licensees must complete 28 hours of an approved reactivation course.  If their license remains inactive for more than 24 months, they must take all pre-licensing education courses and pass the sales associate examination to become a new licensee.